Bully Me (Bully Me #1) by C. E. Starkweather

to her stomach.
    "I'm not saying that," Shane quickly said, seeing her reaction. "Just...let me know if he just so happens to know where you are all the time, ok?"
    She nodded, still uneasy. They worked for another hour or so before Kaine stood up.
    "The sun beating down on me is making me feel shitty. I'm sorry, Shane. I'm trying to fight this hangover."
    "It's ok. Go take a nap. I could use a break anyway."
    Kaine nodded and went inside, downing a huge glass of water and collapsing in bed.
    She woke up a few hours later, feeling fine. She stretched and looked at the clock. 3:20. She felt guilty for wasting the day when there was so much to do, but she had needed the nap.
    She went downstairs and laid on the couch, turning on the TV.
    "Feel better?"
    She looked up at Shane, smiling. "Much. Thanks."
    He sat down next to her. "Mom called. She wants you to get fitted for your bridesmaid dress. She said it has to be today since she took the day off."
    Kaine sighed. "Damn. I didn't really want to do anything. What did you tell her?"
    "That you were tired from all the yard work and were taking a nap. She wants you to call her."
    Kaine scrolled through her phone and called Nancy.
    "Hi, sweetie," she answered, sounding frazzled. "Did Shane give you the message?"
    "Yeah. Where's the bridal shop? Can I meet you there?"
    "I'm there now with my sister. Can you get Shane to drive you?"
    Kaine glanced up at Shane, who nodded his head, apparently able to hear his mom.
    "Sure. I'll see you in a few." Kaine hung up and grinned at Shane. "Sorry to make you a chauffeur."
    "It's cool," he said, getting up. "I need to do a few things anyway. Why don't you have your license, anyway?"
    She shrugged. "I have my permit. I've just never gotten around to getting my license."
    "Lazy," he joked. "Come on."
    Shane dropped her off at the bridal shop. "Get a ride home with my mom, ok?" She nodded and headed inside.
    She spotted Nancy right away, fussing over a woman that looked almost exactly like her, except a little bit heavier.
    "Hi, Nancy," she said, walking over to her.
    "Oh, hi, sweetie! This is my sister, Jane. Jane, this is Kaine."
    Jane shook her hand and smiled. "Nice to meet you, Kaine. My sister is driving me insane. I'm glad you're here."
    Nancy ignored her. "Kaine, your dress is in the dressing room over there. Go ahead and try it on. And let me see it on you do we can figure out if we need any alterations. Luckily, they had a 6 and an 8 in stock, so one should fit."
    Kaine chuckled nervously. Before she started losing weight, she was a size 12 or sometimes a 14. She would be embarrassed if the 8 didn't fit and she had to order one in a bigger size.
    Kaine tried on the size 8 first, and miraculously, it was a little big. She tried on the 6 and it fit perfectly. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked in the mirror, examining herself. She had never felt so beautiful in her life. The dress was dark red and knee length, flowing out at the bottom. The top was a little lower cut than Kaine was used to, but she had to admit that she filled it out nicely. She couldn't wait for Shane to see her in this dress.
    She froze, wondering where that thought had come from. Shaking herself off, she stepped out nervously, hoping Nancy didn't fuss over her like she was doing with her sister.
    Nancy's eyes lit up when she saw her. "Oh sweetie, you look perfect! And it fits like a glove. Lift up your arms," she instructed. Kaine lifted her arms, thankful that she had shaved her underarms today.
    "Perfect," Nancy confirmed. "I wish Janie's dress was that easy."
    Jane rolled her eyes. "Not all of us can look like a Barbie doll," she muttered, and Kaine almost laughed out loud at the comparison. That was one thing she never thought she would hear in her lifetime.
    Kaine changed back into her clothes and joined Nancy and Jane, who were now with the seamstress. Nancy was pointing out minor imperfections in the dress, but the seamstress didn't seem to mind. She was